Designing a Sustainable Competitive Advantage Model based on Blockchain Technology in the Food Industry

Document Type : Article

Authors

1 Department of Business Management, Faculty of Social Sciences and Economics, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran

2 Faculty of Engineering, Urmia University, Urmia, West Azerbaijan Province, Iran

3 Nutrition and Bromatology Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Vigo - Ourense Campus, E-32004 Ourense, Spain

Abstract

Blockchain technology is a growing digital technology and provides competitive advantage for the food industry. The aim of this conceptual and empirical study is to identify the key indicators for creating a sustainable competitive advantage in the food industry based on Blockchain technology through investigating the literature. Then, using Delphi method, the importance of each indicator is determined based on the experts’ opinions. For this purpose, about 2346 online questionnaires were sent to university professors and experts in the field of blockchain. About 36 people responded to the online email and responded to the questionnaire completely. The research findings indicate that the indicators of permanent storage of information, supply chain coordination, improved performance appraisal, simplification of international transactions, traceability and fraud prevention are the top five indicators, respectively. This research helps the decision makers in the food industry to achieve a sustainable competitive advantage compared to their competitors in the market by using blockchain technology.

Keywords